Colin de Grandhomme's utility can't be gauged through numbers. His 43 in the first innings in Wellington and 26 in the first innings in Christchurch turned out to be precious for his team. Add to that the wicket of Virat Kohli in the second innings of the Christchurch Test.

It offered a timely reality check on the quality of some of the players, opened the eyes to their glaring ineptness, cut open the flaws papered over by home games, and a forewarning that it’s time India revised their plans.

India on the green pitches in New Zealand looked like a fish out of water. This was India’s third away series defeat against stronger opponents in the last two years. A meek surrender here had been preceded by a 2-1 loss in South Africa and a 4-1 hiding in England.

Powered by Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Hanuma Vihari's fifties, India made 242 on Day 1 of the second Test before being bowled out by a Kyle Jamieson-led Kiwi attack. New Zealand ended the day on 63/0.

Revenge, as they say, is a dish best served cold and on a chilly Auckland night, New Zealand defended a total of 273 by restricting India to 251 in 48.3 overs taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.